Luther's Seal

1956-1968

St. John Lutheran
Service of Organization - 23 Nov 1958

1956

On May 16th, a group interested in starting a Lutheran Church Mission in the Cave Spring area of Roanoke County held their first meeting under the leadership of Dr. J. William McCauley, a retired pastor living in Salem. There were seven adults and three children present at this initial meeting. On June 10th, under the name "Lutheran Church School of Cave Spring," the first worship service and Sunday School were held in the old Cave Spring Baptist Church, owned and used at that time by the Cave Spring Lion's Club. On October 8th, a 90 day option was signed by Mr. W.H. Witt on approximately five acres of land, the present location of St. John Church. The property was purchased by the Lutheran Synod of Virginia.

1957

On July 26th, the name "St. John Lutheran Church" was adopted.

1958

On January 1st, the Reverend T. Joseph Shumate was called and accepted the position of Mission Developer. On September 26th, the name "St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church" was officially chosen as the church name. On October 5th, the charter was opened with thirty-eight signatures. On November 20th, the first Church Council was elected with the first members being W. H. Witt, R. Q. Hite, D. J. Higginbotham, S. L. Fulcher, C.F. Krumm, and R. M. Thomas. On November 23rd, St. John's service of organization was held and the charter was closed with 51 signatures. On December 21st, the Reverend Shumate was unanimously elected to be the first pastor of St. John. He served as pastor until September 24, 1962.

Early 1960's

The Lutheran Church Women (LCW) began an active program at St. John Church under the careful and well-planned supervision of Mrs. Evelyn Fulcher. She was the first president and was also active in the Synodical LCW. LCW became Women of the ELCA (WELCA) in January 1988.

1961

On September 10th, a ground breaking ceremony was held for the first unit of construction (our current fellowship hall).

1961 Groundbreaking--Brambleton Ave. in Background
(Hedrick Archives)

1962

In April, the first services were held in the new building on Palm Sunday.

1963

In June, the Reverend A. Byron Holderby, Jr. became the second pastor of St. John. He remained pastor until June 1967. On November 1st, a Kindergarten Pre-School was started by Betty Lou Kelly and continued until 1972, when the program was introduced into the public schools.

1964

In June, the first Vacation Church School was held.

1965

A new parsonage was purchased on Woodridge Drive.

1968

In February, the Reverend Richard F. Bansemer became the third pastor of St. John. He remained pastor until November 1973. In the Spring of 1968, a special observance of the crucifixion and resurrection was held in front of the church. Three crosses and a tomb were erected, the crosses being draped from noon to three p.m. on Good Friday. Later a cast of church members kept vigil throughout the night. This "Tableau" remained until Saturday night when a drama, "Worthy is the Lamb" (written, directed, and produced by Richard Herring), was presented in the fellowship hall. On Easter Sunday, a joyous Sunrise Service was celebrated in observance of the Resurrection. The Tableau and Drama continued each year until 1971. In October, the first congregational retreat was held at a Brethren camp in Linville Falls, NC. This was the first and last retreat until they began again in 1992.